"At Simon's Rock, Few Fault College in Shootings"

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

"At Simon's Rock, Few Fault College in Shootings"

Boston Globe (12/22/92), P. 31
Roche, B.J.

Abstract: Some outside observers have suggested that Simon's Rock College of Bard in Great Barrington, Mass., could have acted to prevent a Dec. 14 shooting rampage by student Wayne Lo that left two people dead and four injured. However, many Simon's Rock students and their parents contend that the school could have done nothing to forestall the tragedy even though Lo reportedly made no effort to hide violent and hateful attitudes towards such diverse groups as African Americans, Jews, AIDS patients, homosexuals, and individuals with disabilities. The students say the college environment at the elite school fosters unimpeded freedom of thought and freedom of expression. "The most human reaction is to say that someone should have known," said Saffron Kohler, the mother of a sophomore at the college. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could tell that these idiots are going to go out and do these things?" Student Joshua Faber said, "It's hard to tell at what point something is intellectual and what point someone will put it into action." Great Barrington Police Chief Thomas Walsh told reporters that Lo threatened to kill two student advisors prior to the murderous rampage on Dec. 14. The Associate Press has reported that Lo received a package of 200 rounds of ammunition in the campus mail, which college officials knew about but failed to confiscate because he told them he planned to give the ammunition to his father for Christmas. The college has issued a statement claiming it "acted responsibly and conscientiously in the events leading up to and following the incident." Dean Bernard F. Rodgers Jr. said in a letter to alumni and parents, "Part of the price we are paying for our cooperation [in the investigation]...is that many of the television and print reports...are inaccurate."

921222
AD922489

Copyright © 1992 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1992. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1992. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.